I CYCLE HAMILTON (ICH) ORIGINS & INSPIRATION
I live in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, a city with a long-standing reputation of being dirty and industrial. Its nicknames, past and present -- the Hammer, Steeltown, the Ambitious City, Lunchbucket City, the Birmingham of Canada, the Pittsburgh of Canada, and the Electric City -- all reflect this heritage. This industrial image has been hard to shake, despite the decline of big industry here and the rise of the service, healthcare and education sectors. We have yet to re-imagine (and re-brand) this city so rich with trails, waterfalls and the largest naturally protected harbour on western Lake Ontario. There is so much more to Hamilton than heavy industry!
I am passionate about social and environmental justice issues and passionate about cycling as well. While obviously not a panacea, I believe the humble bicycle can play an important role in both spheres, contributing to improved health, reduced congestion and pollution, a smaller ecological footprint, a slower more human pace, and greater social interaction. I believe the bicycle, when brought into everyday life, can serve to bring people and communities together to build a more vibrant, liveable city.
ICH was inspired by both, the Cycle Chic phenomenon started by Mikael Colville-Andersen with Copenhagen Cycle Chic, now spread to dozens of cities around the world, and by educational and advocacy groups such as Transportation Alternatives, C.I.C.L.E, MassBike, Movilization, World Carfree Network, and the Slow Movement.
While the mission and vision of ICH are rather serious, this blog aims to take a more fun and light-hearted approach. Let's call it advocacy lite. The primary aim is to inspire. To that end, look for photographs of Hamiltonians from all walks of life, dressed in comfortable (and at times stylish) everyday clothes, riding their bicycles. They might be commuting to school or work, meeting up with friends at the shopping centre, café or pub, heading to the museum or gallery, checking out the art crawl scene, or taking their kids to school or the park. You may even see cyclists with trailers full of groceries, or perhaps a group of cyclists with furniture-laden trailers moving house (like these people).
If you cycle Hamilton, please submit photos, and comments, to ICycleHamiltonATgmailDOTcom. Or if you have stories of cycling in Hamilton, I'd love to profile you on the I Cycle Hamilton page.
MISSION
ICH advocates for a bicycle-friendly city where cycling is regarded, and accordingly supported by infrastructure and legislation, as much more than just a fun, healthy and environmentally-friendly recreational activity. While recreational cycling is certainly encouraged, ICH exists primarily to advocate for bicycling as a viable, safe and convenient alternative mode of transportation.VISION FOR THE FUTURE
ICH envisions a City of Hamilton where bicycling is a safe, respected and convenient way to get around for leisure, commuting, and conveyance of passengers or cargo. Roads throughout the city are safe and comfortable for cyclists and all users, whether in human-powered or motorized vehicles, interact in a respectful and legal manner. Car-free pathways and bicycle boulevards connect and flow through our neighbourhoods, bicycles are fully integrated into our public transportation system, and secure bike parking is located where needed. People from all corners of the city, regardless of socio-economic status, use the bicycle for transportation, work and recreation. In this vision, Hamilton finds its place alongside great bicycling cities of the world such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Groningen, Portland, etc.
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